AbstractsSociology

Food, as a basic element of people’s daily lives, is closely related to its society. In terms of Chinese food culture, many scholars have done plenty of research about various related topics. This thesis takes the example of Wei Jin Nan Bei Chao period (ca. 220 CE – 581 CE), when the Han Chinese and non-Han people cohabited in a large scale, led by continuous wars and massive migrations. With the method of literature analysis, this thesis focuses on hubing (胡饼), a kind of flatbread, yangpanchang (羊盘肠), a kind of blood sausage and the grape, as three examples non-Han-originated foods, to explore the influence of non-Han dietary practice on the Han cuisine. Further, by relating the food culture to other sociopolitical factors at the time, this thesis analyses how the development of food reflected its wider society, in terms of class and ethnicity. With such analyses and discussions, this study helps in filling the omission in studies of Chinese food history, as well as better understanding the people and society during that time. Advisors/Committee Members: Gerritsen, Anne (advisor).